10/2/2010 JOANovARC @ Camden Rock

Subject	JOANovARC @ Camden Rock
PostedDate	2/10/2010
	JOANovARC used to be regulars on the London gig scene but they've been away for a while now.  Around the end of 2008 their then newish rhythm guitarist quit as she didn't want to keep doing gigs outside of London.  The remaining three members didn't want to go back to gigging as a 3 piece so they kept a low profile while doing covers gigs under other names. Now they are back - not as a three, or even four piece but a five piece band! The new expanded lineup includes not only new guitarist Laura, but also scarily named percussionist 'Violet The Cannibal'!  Unfortunately, the band's London comeback show is at what is probably now Camden's most horrible venue Camden Rock.  It was pretty cool for a while as Bar Monsta (apart from the bar prices) but went downhill after some management/ownership changes. I haven't set foot in the place for over a year and didn't think it could get any worse - but it has.  There has been a pathetic attempt at improving the shocking lack of privacy in the gents toilet by putting up a small and grubby curtain - not good enough.  There is a pretty dreadful metal band playing when I arrive. They try hard and can probably play well, but there isn't much point in a metal band if the mix is so bad you can't hear the guitarists! Confusingly, their singer looks like a chav while the rest of the band look as 'metal' as you can get.  Fortunately JOANovARC get a much better mix and sound pretty good. The new lineup is certainly interesting and the band seem to be going for a more commercial sound now, leaving their hard rock roots behind. New guitarist Laura also sings some lead vocals but doesn't seem entirely comfortable. It seems a bit like she's just making up the numbers as her guitar is almost inaudible. It's early days yet though and I expect she'll settle in like her predecessor did... As for Violet The Canibal - she seems a bit crazy, but does add some life as she mercilessly smashes her tambourine into her battered cymbals!  At the end of the set she swaps with Debbie and plays drums for the last song, and shows she is actually a pretty good drummer! Her style is more punk than Debbie's display of tightly controlled power and agression - an interesting contrast. The core of the band is still Sam and Shelly Walker with Debbie Wildish on drums, and to be honest I still think they could still pull things off really well as a three peice if they wanted as the three of them are all such strong performers. Still, they have some excellent songs and it's great to see them back - and it looks like they are going to be gigging regularly again now so we can see how well the new lineup gels with a few more shows under their belts - hopefully at better venues than this...